We'll Meet Again Soon
Five years had passed since I joined the Empire's affairs following my father.
During that time, I had experienced truly many things, and from those experiences, it seemed that unexpected events always came at the most inopportune moments.
Yes, right now, for example.
“I humbly request an audience with Your Highness the Crown Prince. Please recall the promise you made to me earlier—”
“...”
It was quite sudden. Not just a little, but quite a lot. It was the Karl who had been very reluctant to meet me until now. The guy who would grumble and complain even when summoned to the palace was still fresh in my memory.
Yet, this Karl had sent a message through Rika without being summoned this time. He said there was something he had to discuss with me, and he hoped I would spare him some of my precious time.
I thought such an event would never happen in my lifetime, so I sent a reply telling him to come to the palace immediately. But the Karl who came running right away knelt in front of me without hesitation.
“Karl. Come here, brother-in-law. First, calm down and stand up.”
“Your Highness.”
“I understand what you're saying. Since I heard it, I hope you'll stop the momentum as if you're about to headbutt the floor right away. Will you listen to your brother-in-law's words?”
At least I don't want to become a pitiful husband who is tormented by his fiancée before even getting married.
Fortunately, Karl no longer hesitated and stood up from his seat, then respectfully sat beside me.
“Yes. You came in front of me to make this request, is that it?”
What Karl wanted to ask me was, if I heard it alone, even a high-ranking noble would find it impossible to handle.
He wanted to interact with the Lasquer delegation. He wanted to hold a friendly match with the warriors. Or, to put it more simply, he just wanted to fight one-on-one.
Of course, this was a huge breach of diplomatic protocol. Performing military force in front of the visitors who came for diplomatic issues would be a situation where neither side would gain anything, whether they won or lost.
If the relationship between the Empire and Lasquer was as bad as before, then maybe, but right now, it's going well, so there's even more reason not to do such a thing.
Precisely, it's not 'there is' but 'there was'.
“I also heard the news. Some of the Lasquer people jumped out of the ship they were originally on and are looking for a new captain, right?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“But, of all places, that captain is in our Empire's port.”
“That is correct.”
We do not interfere in Lasquer's affairs. That is the pact we made with Lasquer.
Even if there was no such pact, I had no intention of stepping into their business. Our Empire also has to focus on internal affairs rather than external expansion.
The war with the Luzens had lasted longer than expected. At least it was limited to one region, otherwise, if it had been something the whole Empire had to handle, the recovery period would have been much longer.
That's why the Empire's admiration for Karl is even stronger. If it weren't for his contributions, the damn war would have been longer by at least a few years.
Anyway, whether they find a new captain or not, whether their confusion lasts longer or not, the Empire had no particular issue with it. Yes, as long as they don't do such things within the Empire's territory.
“They have clearly crossed the line. No matter how urgent it is, though.”
The Academy is a formal educational institution supported by the Imperial family, located within the Empire's territory. It is inside the Empire's fence. And they are, even if they are Lasquer natives or exchange students.
Inside it, if they do something that could make the relationship between the two countries ambiguous? Trying to persuade the 5th princess? Then, if the 2nd princess's side finds out first, and the Empire is secretly backing them, what then?
“But, Karl. There is one thing I want to ask.”
“Please ask.”
“This is clearly Lasquer's fault. So, it is only natural for the Empire to show displeasure. But, isn't it unnecessary for you, of all people, to come forward?”
Actually, that was the most curious part. It was Karl who said he was too burdened to receive more attention here. He said he wanted to live quietly and peacefully.
But why did he suddenly make this choice? If he comes forward like this, he would receive countless gazes again. Why would he make such a request? I couldn't understand.
“...To me, it is.”
A very small smile appears on Karl's lips. It wasn't a happy smile, but one of joy.
“The Academy was a place I had longed to return to so desperately. Not just the Academy, but a place away from the battlefield, where there is peace and quiet. A place where there is positive commotion, I thought. I wanted to live a normal life, the one my departed comrades wanted, after escaping from hell.”
“...”
“I don't want to disturb that. I really don't want my resting place to be affected by the aura of another war. That's why I end up wanting to smash everything.”
I don't know the exact details, but one thing is clear. Lasquer probably didn't intend it, but they have stirred up the mood of a raging beast that was trying to regain its sanity.
“So, I want to warn you. It's good, but don't do it in my resting place. My enemy is the Gganf... I'm sorry. I misspoke. Just the Luzens elves. Don't cross the line. I want to tell you.”
“...I understand.”
Those who survived the battlefield were mostly like this. They seemed normal, but as soon as something from the past was discovered, they showed terrifying reactions.
If someone tries to touch what they wanted to protect, they become merciless beasts. If they threaten the place they wanted to return to, they become an unstoppable disaster. Survivors are like that.
“However, there is one thing. I don't think I can grant your request.”
“Your Highness?”
At my words, Karl looked at me in surprise. Calmly, brother-in-law. It can't be a bad intention.
“You said you were requesting something from me. You said you were asking for a favor. However, this is not something you should do. Showing discomfort is the Empire's job, so it should be done in the name of the Empire. You are helping with that. So, this is not something to handle as your request.”
Inside the Empire's territory. Inside the fence. Inside the Academy. That would not do. Even without the knowledge of their own country's princess. That would not do.
“Rather, I want to ask you. Karl. In this situation, if we use other people, it could become too strong a figure. But if we use someone too weak, we might not be able to protect the Empire's pride.”
Magic and gunpowder have made the knight class no longer show overwhelming power as before.
However, they are not weak at all. The knights' swords are still sharp, and their strength keeps Lasquer on the level of a great power.
Therefore, to win in the direction the Empire wants, we need to send someone of that caliber, but such people are well-known on the Lasquer side too, so the Empire would be the one to start the open conflict.
But if we send someone too appropriate and they end up losing, we would be greatly embarrassed.
In other words, considering all these factors, the best card we can play from this side is none other than Karl.
They have no experience fighting on the Lasquer front, so they don't know his level, but we have a confirmed person. And with his firm will, there's even less to worry about.
“Only you can do this. Against the knights in the delegation, without showing any intention of the Empire deliberately humiliating the kingdom in front of anyone else. A person who will never lose.”
“And, to add one more thing.”
“Actually, His Majesty has secretly given an order.”
“If it's an imperial decree, what is it?”
“He sent someone to Friedrich County.”
To wake up the knights' nightmare that they had forgotten for a moment.
Fufu. Fufufu. Khehehehe!
The laughter doesn't stop. In the world. I never thought this day would come again.
I thought it would never approach me until the moment I die. But now, I would be wearing armor again, sword at my side, galloping on a horse to where they are!
“Is that good?”
From the side, Sylen narrowed his eyes and glared at me. Then immediately stopped laughing and cleared his throat.
“It’s an imperial decree, my lady. It means that I still have a sword worthy of His Majesty, so how could it not be good?”
“Why does your smile look so forced?”
“No. Absolutely not.”
Do as you like. Sylen, who said that, extended the sword forward and continued.
“You’re too excited. The imperial decree was to go to the Lasquer border to enjoy some horseback riding. Don't forget. No unnecessary actions either.”
“Huh. I'm not a child, why would I worry about that.”
Then Sylen poked my side lightly. He seemed to be lightly friendly, but I knew several ribs were going to come out without even a lie.
“Anyway, be careful.”
“Are you worried about me?”
“No. The Lasquer people. You can't run wild like before.”
“It’s not anyone else, but since you said it, I can't accept it— Gah. S-sorry!”
The preparation is complete. Now, all that's left is to deliver the letter I scribbled right after receiving the imperial decree to the border first, and then galloping there myself.
At the same time, the Lasquer knights were in an uproar.
We Will Meet Again Soon.
Baba Yaga is coming.